CBS Sports writer: Michigan State has nation's most difficult football schedule in 2017

A look at Michigan State football's off-the-field legal trouble since last fall.
Chris Solari

Road games against Michigan and Ohio State are part of the reason why Michigan State will play the nation's toughest schedule in 2017, writes CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli.(Photo: Matthew O'Haren/USA TODAY Sports)

That's what happens when the nonconference schedule includes Notre Dame and expected-to-still-be-decent Western Michigan, road games at Ohio State and Michigan, and drawing tough teams in the division's cross-over games. But his assessment mostly has to deal with the fact the Big Ten plays nine conference games — where the rest of the Power 5 plays eight — and don't play any FCS opponents.

If Michigan State rebounds from an awful 3-9 record last year to compete in the Big Ten East this year, it will have earned it. The nonconference isn't murderous, but it's not simple, either. Bowling Green should be a win, and Western Michigan won't be easy, but there's some question as to how good the Broncos will be following so many key losses. Then there's Notre Dame, which went 4-8 last season, but Notre Dame was a better team than its record reflected. Still, what does it for Michigan State is its Big Ten schedule. The Spartans not only have to play Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State this season, but only Penn State will be coming to East Lansing. Also, five of Michigan State's Big Ten games will be on the road this season (it's the East's turn), and its cross-divisional draw avoids the West's heavyweights, but it still provides challenges in Iowa, Minnesota and Northwestern.